OK, in case anyone out there is at all interested...
After 6 months of pretty serious searching, it appears that it is impossible to get Brushed Black Nickel parts for the Exotix drums. Dang! So I decided to make my own.
I ordered a set of the new-style StarCast mounts in Black Nickel (the Exo III came with the old black ones). For some odd reason the distributor had the 8" one in stock, so I got it in hand in 3 days! I took it apart and started experimenting with abrasives to try to emulate the "brushed" finish on the black nickel, to match the rest of the kit hardware. I experimented in places that were plated in BN, but would be invisible once the mount is assembled.
Long story short... STEEL WOOL! With some light rubbing, using extremely straight, even strokes, you can make black nickel look JUST like the Brushed Black Nickel of the Exotix hardware! (I think the wool was #0000, but may be #000). It is very important to make the rub lines REALLY straight, to match the look of the original hardware. I would not be surprised to learn that this is similar to how they are done at Tama.
I am super-happy with the results; I can't wait to get the rest of the mounts to match! I will also be doing some lugs and perhaps a hoop, because some of mine have chipped plating (the previous owner was not as careful as I would have liked!)
I really hope that helps someone.
Jer
2003 Exotix III Midnight Storm (#33)
2000 SCM Violet Shade w/ Gold HW 7-pc.
2008 SCM MBF 3-pc. kocktail kit (16" FT, hyperdrive 10" tom and 12" snare)
2004 Rockstar Custom Purple pHaze 6-pc. (plus customized 10" popcorn snare and 16" bop bass drum)
1984-6 Swingstar Misty Chrome "Nicko McBrain Tribute" 11-pc.
1984-6 Swingstar Misty Chrome standard-tom 5-pc.
...and about a dozen various Tama snare drums
